One Thousand Paper Cranes Create a Symbol of Hope at Westmead Hospital
Inspired by radiation therapist Alison Brown, patients, carers, radiotherapy professionals, friends and family members at Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia came together to fold 1,000 paper cranes for World Radiotherapy Awareness Day.
The completed cranes were displayed throughout the hospital, bringing hundreds of individual contributions together in one shared expression of hope and healing. Each carefully folded crane represented the patients, families and healthcare professionals whose lives have been touched by cancer.
The initiative was inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki. Sadako was two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945. She survived the bombing and appeared to be a healthy child, but at the age of 12 she developed leukaemia and was admitted to hospital.
While Sadako was receiving treatment, the Red Cross Youth Club brought origami cranes for the children in the hospital. Her father told her about the Japanese legend that a person who folded 1,000 cranes would be granted a wish.
Hoping to become well again, Sadako began folding cranes from every piece of paper she could find. She completed 1,000 and continued folding, eventually creating approximately 1,300 cranes before she died in 1955. Her resilience and determination inspired her friends and classmates to raise money for a monument dedicated to Sadako and the children who died as a result of the atomic bombings. Read the full story of Sadako Sasaki from the U.S. National Park Service.
Alison’s idea brought this powerful symbol of hope into the radiotherapy community at Westmead Hospital. Patients and carers contributed alongside members of the radiotherapy team, with friends and family also supporting the collective effort.
Once brought together, the cranes created a colourful display within the hospital. The installation recognised the experiences of people undergoing cancer treatment while offering a visible message of encouragement to patients, visitors and staff.
Each crane began as a small individual contribution. Together, the 1,000 cranes represented the strength of a community united in support of people affected by cancer.
This meaningful activity, the Westmead Hospital community marked World Radiotherapy Awareness Day with a shared message of compassion, connection and hope.
